Abu Dhabi's real estate transactions more than doubled in value during the first half of 2026, driven by strong growth in property sales and foreign investment, according to data released on Saturday by the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre (ADREC).

The total value of real estate transactions reached AED117 billion ($32 billion) in the first six months of the year, up 112% from a year earlier, while the number of transactions rose 61.7% to 25,714.

Property sales totalled AED86.1 billion across 16,838 transactions, marking a 163.7% increase in value from the same period last year. Mortgage transactions reached AED26.7 billion through 8,876 deals, while musataha, long-term lease and gift transactions accounted for the remainder.

Foreign direct investment in Abu Dhabi's property market climbed 309% year-on-year to AED13.8 billion in the first half, exceeding the total recorded during all of 2025, it stated.

Investors from 116 nationalities bought property in the emirate during the period, up from 82 nationalities a year earlier. According to ADREC, the UK, China, Russia, the US, Germany and France were among the largest sources of foreign investment.

Investment zones open to buyers of all nationalities attracted AED75 billion in transactions during the first half, up 181% from a year earlier.

ADREC Director General Rashed Al Omaira pointed out that investment decisions begin long before a transaction takes place. 

“They begin with a clear understanding of the market, its direction and the rules that govern it. Our focus at ADREC is to provide that visibility from the outset through transparent regulation and reliable, up-to-date data, giving investors a stronger basis on which to assess opportunities and make long-term decisions,” noted Al Omaira.

“As Abu Dhabi’s real estate sector evolves, what matters is not only how much it grows, but how it grows. This requires a regulatory environment that responds to changing needs while supporting the sector’s long-term direction,” he noted.

Al Omaira said the key drivers of investor confidence were regulatory transparency and reliable market data.

During the first half, the regulator had approved eight new investment zones, bringing the total to 50, and registered 28 new real estate projects, up 16% from a year earlier. 

It also issued 2,040 licences to real estate professionals, increasing the total number of licensed brokers in the emirate to 3,302.-TradeArabia News Service